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Australia’s second MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system has flown silently into Australia.
The Northrop Grumman-manufactured high-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft system, labelled online as United States military A57-002, arrived at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory earlier this week.
The aircraft travelled almost directly over the capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, before passing over the tip of Queensland and heading deep into the Top End to land at RAAF Base Tindal, according to publicly available flight tracking data.
The flight was welcomed by keen aircraft enthusiasts from the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog.
“Spotted on Flightradar24.com Sunday evening is the second Royal Australian Air Force (#RAAF) Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton A57-002 heading to RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. Nice,” according to comments made online by the group.
Fitting with previous announcements, the second MQ-4C Triton would likely be named AUS2, following the first aircraft arriving and being named AUS1 in 2024.
Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton arrived in the Northern Territory in June last year following successful delivery and installation of its ground support systems at that time.
Triton aircraft are envisioned to provide the Australian Defence Force with long-range, persistent surveillance across Australia’s maritime approaches and its broader areas of interest.
The MQ-4C Triton fleet will be based at RAAF Base Tindal and be operated by Royal Australian Air Force aircrew of the reformed No. 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, according to previous statements made by Defence.
